by David J. Stewart
2nd Chronicles 25:2, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,but not with a perfect heart.”
What an amazing Scripture, and a needful truth to be applied to every Christian's life! Amaziah became king over Jerusalem at age 25 and reigned for 29 years (2nd Chronicles 25:1). The Bible says that Amaziah served the Lord; but he did so selectively, not with a perfect heart. That is a very interesting Scripture passage indeed!
Although Amaziah obeyed the Lord in most matters (evidenced by 2nd Chronicles 25:2-13), unfortunately he did not obey God in all areas. We learn in verse 14 that Amaziah worshipped the false gods of the Edomites...
2nd Chronicles 25:14, “Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.”
The life of Amaziah can be likened to many Christians today who are resolved in their mind and heart to serve God, but only half-heartedly so. Many Christians are worshippers of Hollywood celebrities and materialism. Others are choked by the cares, riches and pleasures of this world (Luke 8:14). The Bible plainly tells us that God does not like fence-straddlers. In fact, God says that lukewarm believers make Him vomit...
Revelation 3:15, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
This sounds like America today where we are increased with goods in the land of plenty; yet our nation is spiritually wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. In our prosperity we have forsaken the God of the Bible!
May we all heed the words of admonition which king David gave to his son, Solomon...
1st Chronicles 28:9, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts...”
Ask any soldier and they'll tell you that there's no such thing as a part-time soldier on the battlefield. When you are at war you have to have your rifle handy at all times, loaded and ready to go. The Bible says that Christians are soldiers for Christ, fighting a continual battle against the flesh, the world and the Devil (Ephesians 6:12)...
2nd Timothy 2:4, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
It is clear from the Scriptures that king Amaziah wanted to serve God in his mind and heart, but not with a perfect heart. This Biblical truth applies to Christians today, most of whom want to follow Christ afar off like Peter. Sadly, most Christians are ashamed to boldly mention the name of Jesus Christ in a group of people who are not fellow believers. As I grow older I am increasingly dreary of this world, more anxious to go home to Heaven, and bold to shamelessly tell people that I am a born-again Child of God. Self-consciousness is an enemy of soul-winning, that is, if you are worried about what other people think about you, then you're going to dip-your-sails in apostasy and compromise.
The Bible wonderfully states...
Colossians 3:1-3, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
What a precious truth! Our Lord Jesus Christ has risen and is seated on the Father's right-hand. The Bible teaches that since Christ is in Heaven, then that is where our mind and heart should also be. Luke 8:14 warns about getting boggled-down with the problems, wealth and fun of this present world. Luke 8:15 says concerning one's heart...
Luke 8:15, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
The sower's seeds which fell upon fertile ground grew healthy and brought forth more fruit. Most professed Christians today desire to live for God, but their heart is not perfect in the very important matter of winning souls to Christ. I meet many people who talk about God, but most of them aren't even saved, blinded by false religion. And of those who are saved, it is rare to meet a Christian who genuinely cares about preaching the gospel to the lost.
Soul-winning is not a novelty or option for Christians; but rather, a royal command from our King, Jesus Christ. Proverb 11:30 proclaims that a wise Christian wins souls. Matthew 28:19-20 is often called “The Great Commission,” in which our Lord told the disciples to go make more disciples from all nations, baptizing them with water as a public profession of their faith, and then mentoring them to go win more souls. The Lord intended for the gospel to perpetuate itself, with every believer bringing forth other believers through the preaching of the gospel. Sadly, most Christians in the world today are like the “terminator seed” that never reproduce itself.
You cannot serve God with a perfect heart and not be concerned about the eternal fate of those around you. It is tragic that most people don't believe in a literal Hell that burns with fire and brimstone, where Christ-rejecters will spend eternity; however, the truth is the truth even if no one accepts it. The truth is still the truth even if no one believes it; and the biggest lie in the world is still a lie even if everyone believes it!
The entire world believed a lie in Noah's day and perished in the flood, going to Hell. Only 8 people walked onto the ark. Jesus said the End Times would be just like the time of Noah, when people lived only to enjoy life (Matthew 24:37-38). Most people today are living for pleasure and enjoyment, completely ignoring the things of God. Philippians 2:21, “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.”
I hear so many celebrities while being interviewed say that their priorities are to enjoy life to the fullest. That's not why God put mankind upon the earth. Yes, God's wants us to enjoy life, but that's a secondary purpose of our existence. First and foremost is found inRevelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Our purpose for existence is to please God, not ourselves and not others. Most people spend their life trying to please them self and others and are consequently miserable. You'll never be able to live up to the demands and expectations of others, nor even yourself, which is why the Bible reminds us that Christ has made everything ok through His work of redemption and blood sacrifice...
Romans 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
With Christ as our heavenly High Priest, we are in God's hands and there is nothing to fear!!! Amen and amen!
May we all serve God with a perfect heart, acknowledging Him in all our ways as Proverbs 3:5-7 commands; and not merely selectively obeying God when we feel like it. It's been said that the smallest Bible in the world is the one that we live. It is sad, but true.
Most Christian men are only a temptation away from committing adultery, just waiting for the indecent proposal.
Many Christian women only obey their husbands when they choose to, which is a shame and the cause of so much divorce in our churches today. Christians file for divorce at the same rate as worldly heathens. That is a shame unto the name of Christ and the New Testament Church. In the year 1900 the divorce rate in the U.S. was less than one-percent! What has happened to our country? I'll tell you... feminist rebellion against masculine authoirty! Christian women who sit and watch TV are being indoctrinated to rebel against their husbands, and many of those women don't even realize that they're being influenced for Satan by evil lesbians, God-hating trash, and feminist scum on television. THE VIEW is a perfect example of the trash I'm talking about.
Is your heart perfect toward God? Or are you lukewarm, half and half? Certainly, the Christian life is a constant daily struggle to do right, but with God's help we can do it. That's why the Bible tells us in 1st Thessalonians 5:17 to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. We ought to fellowship with our Creator throughout the day; not as a ritual like the heathens and worldly ministers teach, but genuinely walking with God as James 4:8 teaches.
